pathophysiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Carotid artery atherosclerosis often causes carotid artery stenosis.

• atherosclerotic plaques tend to occur at arterial bifurcations
• with the development of the plaque, the lumen of the artery may occlude completely or may result in rupture and local thrombus formation with subsequent embolisation to the ipsilateral ophthalmic, middle cerebral, or anterior cerebral artery territories (1).
• large emboli may result in strokes. Small emboli may result in transient ischaemic attacks and/or amaurosis fugax.

However, there is only critical impairment of cerebral blood flow if the luminal narrowing exceeds 75%.

Reference:

• (1) Cleveland clinic. Centre for continuing education. Disease management. Carotid artery stenosis (2016).